The Sylvia Rivera Community Brunch, set for 11:45 a.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, is sponsored by Transgender Individuals Living Their Truth (T.I.L.T.T.) and the Juxtaposed Center for Transformation, in conjunction with the Atlanta Pride Committee.
The brunch is named for trans activist Rivera, a veteran of the 1969 Stonewall uprising.
The community brunch includes speakers Tracee McDaniel, founder of the Juxtaposed Center, and Cheryl Courtney-Evans, founder of T.I.L.T.T., both noted Atlanta transgender activists.
After the brunch, the public is invited to gather on the steps of the state Capitol for the “Be Visible, Make a Statement” rally and community art project. Pride photographers will be on-hand to take pictures of attendees, which local artists will turn into a work of art that will be displayed at the 2010 Atlanta Pride festival in October. Participants are encouraged to bring their own materials.
Following the rally, a new organization is joining in this year’s activities with a picnic in Piedmont Park on June 26. Named the “Queer Justice League,” the group is made up of anonymous young activists who are asking people to join them in the park that afternoon for food and fellowship.
“They are an anonymous group of young activists — they are not about any one individual and are about coming together for the good of the community,” says Rick Westbrook, who said he was asked to speak for the Queer Justice League. “We need to put together a united front.”
The picnic is the Queer Justice League’s “coming out” event — the first of many it hopes to hold in the future, Westbrook says. But the picnic is simply a way for people to gather on the day of Stonewall and “celebrate our liberation,” Westbrook adds.
Saturday’s events also include a screening of the film “Stonewall Uprising,” followed by a discussion by those impacted by the police raid of the Atlanta Eagle, comparing that event to Stonewall, as well as a gathering at FROGS Cantina with the Flaming Sugarbaker Sisters.
Saturday, June 26
Sylvia Rivera Stonewall Community Brunch
11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Central Presbyterian Church
201 Washington St., SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
‘Be Visible, Make a Statement’
Rally & Community Photo Shoot
2-3:30 p.m. at State Capitol
100 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
www.atlantapride.org
Stonewall Pride Picnic
3 p.m. at Piedmont Park
In the meadow by Park Tavern
www.queerjusticeleague.net
Out on Film Screening: “Stonewall Uprising”
7 p.m. at Midtown Art Cinema
931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308
www.outonfilm.org
Panel discussion about Eagle bar raid follows
“Stonewall, Sisters & Spirits”
Beer and raffles
4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
FROGS Cantina
931 Monroe Drive, A107
Atlanta, GA 30308
www.atlsisters.org